Hapai, Dahilig appointed to UH Board of Regents; Haynes is reappointed as Maui regent

HONOLULU — The appointments of Marlene Hapai and Michael Dahilig to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents were recently confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Also confirmed was current Regent James J.C. Haynes II for a reappointment to a second term.

Both Hapai and Dahilig were appointed to fill positions with terms that expire on June 30, 2007. Haynes second term will expire in 2010.

Hapai, who is currently project director of STARnet, a U.S. Department of Education grant program, is credited with the idea for a science education center on the Big Island, which is now the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi. She saw the center, formerly the Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center, come to fruition as its director from January 2004 through August 2005. An entomologist, Hapai has served as associate dean of UH Mānoa‘s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and has taught for several years at both the UH Mānoa and UH Hilo campuses, as well as at various Big Island high schools. She holds a bachelor‘s degree in biology from Gonzaga University and a master‘s and doctoral degree in insect ecology and insect physiology from UH Mānoa.

Dahilig has been appointed to fill the student position on the Board of Regents. A third-year student in the William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Mānoa, he is concurrently pursuing a master‘s degree in urban and regional planning. He received a bachelor‘s degree with honors in geology and geophysics from UH Mānoa in 2003, and was president of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi. He also was awarded the UH Mānoa Student Service and Leadership Distinction Award in 2003.

Haynes, who is chief executive officer of Maui Petroleum, joined the UH Board of Regents in 2003. He is a graduate of Punahou School and an alumnus of UH, where he received a bachelor‘s degree in accounting. Haynes is also CEO of Hawaiʻi Petroleum and Minit Stop Stores on Maui and the Big Island. He is a board member of the Hawaiʻi Petroleum Marketers Association, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, and a member of the Maui Rotary Club.